On the banks of the Madhure Kere Lake in Chikka Madhure in Kanaswadi is one of the famous pilgrimage centers of Sri Shanimahathma temple (Shree Shani Mahathma Temple). The temple is located around 14 km from Nelamangla on the Nelamangla and Doddaballapur Road. The temple falls in the Doddaballapur Taluk. The temple is dedicated to Saturn or Shani dev, one of the Nava grahas (nine planets) worshiped in the Hindu Temples.
The temple is one among the oldest established temple worshipping Shani Mahatma. The idol is completely black in color, clad in black cloth and ornamented with jewelry. The temple receives more devotees especially on Saturdays which are of great significance for Shani Mahatma as per the Hindu Religion.
- Temple Darshan Timing: 6 AM to 8 AM.
- Maha Pooja is done every day at 8 PM
Religious Significance of the Temple
Devotees pay homage to Shani Mahatma, to lessen the negativity in their lives. It is believed that by worshiping Shani Mahatma, the burdens and hurdles in the life of a person will be considerably reduced. The main offering includes the Ellu Batti (black sesame seeds knotted in cloth immersed in gingelly oil) which many devotees light in front of the idol into the fireplace.
Lord Shani. Image courtesy Indian poet
About Shani Mahatma
Shani Deva is the son of Sun God and Chaya-Devi Suvarna. Shani deva respected Lord Shiva as his guru(teacher) as per the stories in Scanda Poorana in Hindu mythology of Kashi Khanda. Shani deva is supposed to be the seventh place among the nine planets, but has the greatest gravitational pull as compared to the earth. Hence the influence of Saturn is the most in a person’s natal chart. In case of astrology, the influence of Shani Deva is considered a bad influence.
Shani deva is supposed to be the seventh place among the nine planets, but has the greatest gravitational pull as compared to the earth. Hence the influence of Saturn is the most in a person’s natal chart. In case of astrology, the influence of Shani Deva is considered a bad influence.
Shani Mahatma is one among the nine planets or the Nava grahas worshiped by Hindus. Out of the nine planets, Shani Mahatma is ruled by Saturn and is powerful. People worship Shani Mahatma to seek blessings and escape from the severe punishments due to the influence of Shani Mahatma.
Shani Mahatma is supposed to be one of the strict devas and can punish as well as bless the person. The bad influence of the Shani Deva in the natal chart signifies the hardships in the life of a person. Most of the devotees are feared and believe in keeping Shani Deva happy by offering Ellu Batti to escape from the doshas like Ashtama Shani, Sade Sathi and Panchama Shani. The biggest of all the temples of Shani Deva is in Thirunallar in Tamil Nadu where thousands of devotees come to worship.
Most of the devotees are feared and believe in keeping Shani Deva happy by offering Ellu Batti to escape from the doshas like Ashtama Shani, Sade Sathi and Panchama Shani. The biggest of all the temples of Shani Deva is in Thirunallar in Tamil Nadu where thousands of devotees come to worship.
Architecture of Sri Shanimahathma Temple
The Shani deva temple in Madhure is a typical south Indian style architecture. The temple has a Gopura like in most of the South Indian Temples. The stunning Dravidian architecture is mind-blowing with many sculptures carved out on the gopuram.
The excellent workmanship on the gopuram contains many intricate carvings that are truly alluring.
The temple was built by a farmer called Ganga Hanumaiah to dedicate to Shani deva to pacify the vengeance and the difficulties in one’s life.
Sri Shanimahathma Temple. Image courtesy Amol.Gaitonde
Festivals at Sri Shanimahathma Temple
The major festival of Shani Mahadeva is the annually conducted Chariot procession witnessed by thousands of devotees. During the festival, the Shani Deva is taken out of the temple for a pradakshina in the neighboring area blessing everyone. The procession is always done with great grandeur. Other than the annual festival, the temple is crowded usually on Saturdays as it is a significant day for Shani Deva.
How to Reach Sri Shanimahathma Temple
By Air
Bangalore airport is the nearest airport to Chikka Madhure. From airport tourists, can hire a taxi or a bus to Nelemangla or direct to Chikka Madhure.
By Road
From Bangalore, many KSRTC buses ply towards Nelamangla. From Nelmangala tourists can hire a bus to Doddaballapur (18km) via Chikka Madure. Even auto or taxis can be hired to reach the temple.
By Train
Yeshwantpur railway station and the Bangalore City railway station is the nearest railway station. Tourists can hire a KSRTC bus to reach Chikka Madhure via Nelamangla.
Also See
Must Visit Temples
<p>District: Bangalore<br />
Town: Madhure <br />
Temple: Sri Shanimahathma Temple
</p>
<p>Sri Shanimahathma temple is located a few kilometers away from Bangalore city near Nelamangala town. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Shanishwara, one of the planets in Hindu Astrology.</p>
<p>Sri Shanimahathma Temple – Overview</p>
<p>Shani or Shanishwara is one of the nine planets in Hindu astrology. Shanishwara is an embodiment of Saturn. He is the son of Suryadeva and his second wife Chaya Devi. He is one of the most feared and revered astrological deities.</p>
<p>Sri Shanimahathma Temple – Religious Significance</p>
<p>He is a strict Deva who metes out the punishment he has been ordained to give with severity. Yet, He also blesses with generosity. Shanishwara’s negative influence on one’s natal chart is one of the most feared beliefs in India. People flock to temples to worship Shanishwara, in order to lessen the ill effects of his influence. There are many temples for Shanishwara, one of the most famous being the temple at Thirunallar in Tamilnadu.</p>
<p>Sri Shanimahathma Temple – Facts</p>
<p>Bangalore has a few Shanishwara temples too. The Sri Shanimahathma Temple at Chikka Madure is considered to be one of the oldest. This temple is located on the banks of Madhure Kere, a big lake. This temple is constructed in the South Indian style, with a Gopura.</p>
<p>The annual festivals in which an idol of Shanishwara is taken out on a procession on a chariot attract a lot of devotees. People come to this temple to pray to Lord Shanimahayhma and to offer Ellu Batti– black sesame seeds tied up in a piece of cloth and soaked in gingelly oil. This offering is believed to please Lord Shanishwara.</p>
<p>How to Get To Sri Shanimahathma Temple</p>
<p>If you plan to travel by bus, take a Bangalore Metro bus to Nelamangala. From Nelamangala, you should catch another bus to take you to Madhure, on Doddabellapore road. If you are planning to use a car, take the Bangalore – Pune highway till you reach Nelamangala. From Nelamangala take the road to Doddabellapore.</p>
<p>Also See:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href=”/tourism/bangalore/”>Bangalore</a></li>
<li><a href=”/tourism/temples.html”>Temples in Karnataka</a></li>
<li><a href=”/tourism/about-tourism/”>Explore Karnataka</a></li>
</ul>